Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Just Desserts: Salty Oat Cookies

People always ask me, "What is your specialty?" In the past, I would have been stumped. But after making these Salty Oat Cookies for many different occasions and receiving rave reviews, I concluded that this recipe IS my specialty. These cookie have everything...sweetness from the chocolate, tartness from the dried fruit, and crunchiness from the nuts. They are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The salt topping adds a surprising taste that brings all the delicious flavors together. For all of my family and friends who have asked me for the recipe, here it is! And for those that haven't tasted these cookies yet, I suggest heading to the kitchen and giving them a try!



Ingredients:
  • 2 sticks softened butter (1 cup)
  • 1 and 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 and 3/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (or cream of tartar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup chopped chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, milk...your choice)
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit (cherries, raisins, cranberries...again, your choice)
  • 1/2 chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, anything you'd like)
  • Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in cinnamon, oats, chopped chocolate, chopped nuts, and dried fruit.

On a non-stick cookie sheet (or use a silicon baking mat), place a golf-ball size amount of dough in rows, about 2 inches apart. Lightly press down on each cookie to slightly flatten. After a cookie sheet has been filled, bake in the oven for about 12 minutes, or until the edges brown. I always err on the side of under-cooking cookies because they are guaranteed to come out moist. Immediately after the cookies are taken out of the oven, sprinkle each cookie with some sea salt.


7 comments:

  1. These are the best cookies I have ever had and made in my entire life. No joke and not an exaggeration. I put cocoa powder in the batter the last time I made them to get Chocolate Salty Oat cookies, which were fantastic too! Definitely love the dried cherries and raisins...thanks so much for posting!

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  2. I love salty cookies and oatmeal. I've never sprinkled with sea salt, though. I will probably have to do that from now on! These sound a lot like my families go-to chocolate chip cookies, too (but we have a different "secret" weapon). I like to do craisins and white chocolate. We have similar styles of blogging. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. While I fully agree that these are your specialty, Sasha, I would argue that they are still one of many. What about your lemon curd? or granola? and that's only in deserts ;)

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  4. I agree - these are the best cookies ever! I make them all the time and people LOVE them!! Got this recipe from Deb, who got it from Lisa...thank you Jouk girls!

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  5. Those look sooooo good! When it cools down I will give this a go.

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  6. Great idea for a chocolately cookie, Stacey! I will try it next time.

    Realistic Housewife: Thanks for following our blog. We do have similar blogging styles. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

    Rotem, thanks so much for the compliments :)

    Sandi, glad you're enjoying the cookies!

    Angela, these are definitely a great fall and winter cookie...I always bring them on ski trips.

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  7. Once I'll start baking again I'll give it a try too...looks just too good to pass them.

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